Ectopic Pregnancy and Female Sterilization

Complications

A study was done on approximately ten thousand women within ten years after sterilization. Ectopic pregnancy occurred in 7 out of 1,000 of those procedures. Women who have had sterilization and under the age of 30 are twice as likely to have a tubal pregnancy as older women.

Researchers have determined that ectopic pregnancy can occur many years after sterilization. Women who think they may be pregnant should contact their health care provider immediately as ectopic pregnancy is the leading cause of pregnancy related deaths in the first trimester.